Rectal dilator



Oct. 25, 1949.

A. c. T EDFORD RECTAL DILATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 2, 1948 Fig.8.$799,

Addingfan C. Tedford INVENTOR,

Oct. 25, 1949.

A. .c. TEDFORD RECTAL DILATOR Filed Feb. 2, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m m mm Patented Oct. 25, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention comprises novel and useful improvements in a rectaldilator and more specifically constitutes an improvement over theconstruction set forth in my prior application Serial No. 598,851, filedJune 11, 1945, and now Patent No. 2,443,207.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved rectaldilator.

An important feature of the invention resides in the provision of amedical instrument which shall be of compact and durable construction,easily adjusted and manipulated in its intended functioning, which maybe readily disassembled for cleaning its various components; and is withall highly eflicient for the purpose intended.

These, together with various ancillary objects and features of theinvention which will later become apparent as the following descriptionproceeds, are attained by this device, a preferred embodiment of whichhas been illustrated by way of example only in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective View showing the device in its closedposition;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure l but showing the device in itsopen or dilated position;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view showing the device in its closedposition;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially upon thevertical plane of the section line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of one of the dilator arms of thedevice;

Figure 6 is an end elevational view of a spring forming an element ofthe invention;

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the spring of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an end elevational view of an actuating cam for spreadingthe arms of the dilator;

Figure 9 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the cam ofFigure 8;

Figure 10 is a rear end elevational view of the device as shown inFigure 1; and

Figure 11 is a front elevational view of the invention as shown inFigure 1.

Referring now more specifically to the accompanying drawings, whereinlike numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, itwill be seen by particular reference to Figures 1, 2, 4 and 10, that thedilator includes a body portion having a central hub portion l0 which isaxially and longitudinally bored as at l2, and which is provided with aplurality, in the embodiment shown three sets of radially disposed lugsl4 integrally extending from the hub l0.

The sets of bifurcated lugs [4 are connected at their front ends withthe hub portion ID by integral webs it which are sector-shaped.Pivotally mounted within the bifurcated portion of each of the radiallyextending lugs l4, as by means of pins it are the rear terminal portions20 of the dilator arms indicated generally 22. The front ends of thesearms are tapered to a point as indicated at 24 and adjacent the rearends are smoothly curved to merge into the terminal portions 28 as shownin Figures 4 and 5. The outer surfaces of the arms 22 are so curved thatin the closed position of the device as shown in Figures 1 and 11, anelongated body is provided which may be readily inserted into bodycavities for expanding the same as set forth hereinafter.

It will be particularly noted that the rear ends of each of the arms 22are provided on their inner surfaces with an inclined frame surface 26which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal aXis of the device,and which terminates in a shouldered portion 28. The inclined surfaces26 provide means which are engageable by a cam as so set forthhereinafter, for positively urging the arms to their open position.

As will be seen by reference next to Figure 4, a spring means isprovided for normally urging the arms to their closed position. Thisspring means, whose construction is shown in Figures 6 and 7, consistsof an annular central portion 30, provided with integral, angularly,outwardly and radially extending arms 32, one such arm being providedfor each of the terminal portions 20 of the members 22. As will be seen,a central portion 3|], provided with an axial opening 34 for a purposeto be later set forth, is disposed in abutting engagement with the innerend of the hub portion ill, with the spring fingers or arms 32positioned between the hub l0 and the inner surface of the extensions orterminals 20 of the members 22. The end portions of the spring members32 are positioned as shown in Figure 4, outwardly of the pivot point Itof these members, whereby the spring tension resiliently urges each ofthese members into its closed position. An adjusting screw consisting ofa shank 36 slidably received in the bore I2 0f the hub IE], is providedwith a finger grip portion or knob 38 for rotating the screw. The innerend of the screw is provided with a screw threaded portion 48 receivablewith.. in the cavity between the surface 26, which screw threadedportion engages a screw threaded bore 42 formed axially in atriangularly shaped cam member 44 which cam member as shown in Figures 7and 8 is provided with bevelled cam edges 46, for engagement with thecorresponding cam surfaces 26. It will thus be seen that as the fingergrip portion 30 is caused to rotate the shaft 36, the threaded portion40 causes an inward movement of the cam nut 44, whose bevelled surfaces46 engage the surfaces 26 and upon longitudinal movement of this camcauses spreading or distending of the member 22 against the oppositionof the spring fingers 32.

It should be here noted that the threaded portion 40 of the stem 36 isof greater diameter than the latter, as well as of greater diameter thanthe aperture 34 in the spring seat 30 through which the shaft 36extends, and also a greater diameter than the bore l2. Consequently, theshaft 36 is prevented from being rearwiardly withdrawn or forced throughthe bore l2 during rotation of the screw actuator.

The device may readiy be assembled by in serting the shank 36 throughthe bore 34! of the n seat 30 and then through the bore l2 of the coreE0, whereupon the finger grip portion 38 is then applied thus securingthe screw rotatably but nonreciprocatingly in the core. The cam nut M isthen engaged upon the screw threaded portion 40, the extension 20 of themembers 22 are then placed between the bifurcated lugs H3 and securedthereto by insertion of the pins 18, whereupon the device is ready foruse.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the manner of constructing andoperating the device will be readily understood and further explanationis believed to be unnecessary.

However, since numerous modifications and equivalents will readily occurto those skilled in the art after a consideration of the principles ofthe invention as set forth in the foregoing specification andaccompanying drawings, it is not intended to limit the invention to theexact construction shown and described; but all suitable modificationsand equivalents may be resorted to falling within the scope of theappended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A dilator for cavities of the human body comprising a hub, aplurality of radial slotted lugs thereon, webs connecting the outerportion of the inner ends of said lugs and said hub, a plurality ofdilator arms having smoothly curved exterior surfaces and pivoted attheir rear ends in said slots, a single spring engaging said hub andeach of said rear ends and resiliently urging said arms to theircontracted position and a cam engaging inclined surfaces on said armsfor causing opening of the dilator arms.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said spring comprises a baseseated on the webs' of said hub and positioned between the rear ends ofsaid arms, radially and angularly inclined resilient fingers on saidbase, said fingers engaging said rear ends of said arms.

3. The combination of claim 2 including a screw journalled in said huband extending through and positioning said base, said cam comprising anut rotatable on said screw and cam surfaces on said nut engaginginclined surfaces.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the threaded portion of said screwis of greater diameter than the aperture of said spring base to preventwithdrawal of said screw therethrough.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said nut is polygon with as manysides as there are dilator arms, each of said sides having a bevelededge forming an actuating cam for each dilator arm.

ADDINGTON C. TEDFORD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 237,032 Mayer Jan. 25, 1881765,879 Campbell July 26, 1904 997,907 Dewees July 11, 1911 1,342,025Mallove June 1, 1920

